2015 2Rivers Festival

The Festival in 2015

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2Rivers Festival in 2015. What a wonderful festival it was!

This year's 2Rivers Festival was held from June 9 - 14, offering eleven river-related, FREE events. From canoeing, kayaking, hiking and cycling, to river restoration and celebration, there were a wide variety of events hosted by a wide variety of organizations.

2015 Events

View our program here or below. Full event descriptions, including locations and event organizers are available by scrolling down below the schedule or by clicking on the event link on the side bar.

Bring your canoe or kayak and put in at York Road Park, near the east side of the covered bridge. Parking is available at the very west end of York Road. Cross the sports field, around the construction, and put in there. We'll head up stream toward Victoria Road and return. Canoe rentals can be arranged in advance at The Boathouse or by contacting speedriverpaddlingcom@hotmail.com. For more information about this paddle, contact warrenbrandes@yahoo.ca.

Join the Guelph Hiking Trail Club for a loop hike around The Eramosa River from Gordon Street to Victoria Road and back. This loop is one of Guelph’s hiking gems; beautiful in all seasons. Along the way you will walk on the remnants of the old electric train line to Toronto and beside the wooded cliffs of the Guelph Escarpment. For those looking for an easier and accessible hike, there will be a 'there and back' option on The Eramosa River Trail. Bring water and snacks.

Come discover the array of plants and animals that live in The Arboretum Creek and most likely in the creek nearest you! In this hands-on workshop we will be discussing the importance of creeks, their natural diversity, and conservation practices. Meet at the JC Taylor Nature Centre for a brief introduction before hiking to the creek. The Arboretum waives their normal $2/person fee for the festival.

The Growing the Greenbelt - Guelph Town Hall will explore the benefits of Ontario's Greenbelt, the threats to it, and how Guelph may be included in the expansion of it. Our panel discussion will feature three key-note speakers: David Donnelly (Environmental Lawyer), Faisal Moola (Director General of the David Suzuki Foundation), and Hugh Whiteley (retired University of Guelph professor and community activist).Come early for a 'Meet and Greet' with the various organizations that will have their information on display.

6–7pm: Meet and Greet Community Groups

7–8:30pm: Keynote Speakers:

Hugh Whitely - “A History of Greenspace Planning in Guelph”

David Donnelly - “Policy Gaps, Policy Enforcement and Do The Math on Development Presentation”

This celebration event will begin with a sonic parade from The City Hall splash pad down to The Boathouse, featuring Gary Diggins and his portable band. Families are welcome to join in, taking one of the many available sound makers Gary will bring. We encourage our whole community to carry banners and ribbons and join us in this grand river celebration.

At The Boathouse, the parade will seamlessly morph into a large drum circle, with circus performers, dancers and much hullabaloo! There will be face painters and water games for the kids. Food from Laza Catering will be available for purchase, as well as local wine and beer for the adults.

After the drum circle, we will be entertained by several performers (TBA) and enjoy a family DJ set to get the young and the young at heart moving. This will be followed by DJ Eccodek and his well loved Shivaboom dance party.

This is a fundraising event for Wellington Water Watchers, the new host organization for the 2Rivers Festival. All are welcome!

Join OPIRG Guelph and Wellington Water Watchers for our 36thannual 2Rivers Clean Up

(previously the Speed River Clean-up)

This year, alongside our traditional garbage pickup, we will feature three amazing river-loving activities! We know that removing harmful garbage from our rivers is a valuable endeavour but our new activities go further by addressing drugs and hormones in our waterways, increasing the tree canopy to cool the river and protect against toxic run off, and supporting the pollinator population to increase river health.

What’s the ultimate goal of The Cleanup?

To revive, restore and rehabilitate the Speed and Eramosa rivers for all species to enjoy.

This year participants can choose one of the following activities:

1) Can You Dig It? Support Tree Growth! Grow more trees along the river bank for river health.

2) Buzzin' Gardens and Habitat for Beemanity! Create a pollinator garden along the beautiful Eramosa River and build and install bee apartments!

3) Healthy People, Healthy River! Teach the neighbourhood how to keep plastic microbeads and pharmaceutical drug pollution out of the river!

4) Wade In! River Cleanup. CLEAN UP the river by learning what stays, what goes and what is habitat. This is a 36 year tradition!

5) Bug Out! ASSESS the quality of the river by collecting, identifying and quantifying its aquatic “bugs”.

Pre-registeration is now available. Click here to pre-register (this helps us to plan, and ensures your spot in the activity of your choice.

All are welcome. Please get in touch if you have accessibility questions or concerns: 519.824.2091 oropirg@uoguelph.ca

During this bioblitz we aim to find and identify the many plants and animals that live at this site in order to understand and protect them. Experts will be on-site all day conducting the bioblitz but we invite the general public to the site between 1-3pm for a number of family activities, including guided hikes, an introduction to binoculars and birding, a nature scavenger hunt, and an introduction to aquatic creatures.

A pleasant cycling trip along our river trail system will explore the connections between on and off road cycling networks in the city, including a visit to the location of the new Woodlawn Multi-Use Path to be built this summer. Discussion to follow at the Woolwich Arms Pub.

Explore some seldom used paths under the Hanlon Parkway and follow the original Toronto Suburban Railway line through The Cutten Club as we hike to Victoria Road. This hike will involve carpooling for a one-way walk.

Participants will use a net to learn about the living creatures in our local river community. Find out what lives in the Speed River and how our actions can benefit (or harm) them. We’ll learn about how the GRCA and scientists use the creatures we find to determine water quality.

This is an active, in the water, “hands on” program suitable for all ages. Be prepared to get wet and have fun!

We will provide nets and trays. You need to provide suitable footwear and be happy to get wet! No bare feet or flip flops. Closed toe shoes, boots or water shoes preferred.

Note: This hike is approximately 1 hour in length but we are offering it twice. You can join us for the first hike from 1-2:00pm or choose to come for the second hike from 2-3:00pm.

Join us for a walk though the heritage Speed River valley lands and view the river much as it has been since the 1800's. Learn about the early famous pioneers. We will walk across the one lane Bailey Bridge, a heritage structure and rare type of bridge that was used in World War II. Come and learn why this area is a cultural heritage landscape worthy of heritage designation.

Event Hosts and Festival Supporters

The 2Rivers Festival would not be possible without the support of many generous individuals, organizations and businesses. Thank you to everyone who has supported the festival in their own way. We couldn't do it without you!